They’re Not What You Might Expect
Hey there, it’s Nick Engerer, strategic advisor at DoNotAge and a guy who’s spent the last decade turning himself into a human longevity lab. I’ve tried almost everything that claims to move the needle on healthspan: expensive, cheap, exotic and boring. At the end of it all, only a handful have earned permanent residency in my daily stack.
Today I’m letting you in on my actual top five from DoNotAge. These aren’t the flashiest or the most hyped (you won’t see NMN or spermidine here, even though I love them). These are the quiet, workhorse supplements that I refuse to be without. They are foundational to my longevity strategy. Let’s take a look at what I take every single day and why!
1. Pure Ca-AKG – The undisputed king of my stack
I’ve written about this one before, so I’ll keep it brief: after four years of daily use and multiple biological age tests, Ca-AKG is still the supplement that has moved my epigenetic clocks the most (3.1 years downward in one nine-month experiment). It fuels the Krebs cycle, balances mTOR and AMPK, and for me personally delivers noticeably faster recovery and stable all-day energy. I’m currently on 2 g split across the day and have zero intention of ever dropping it. If I could only keep one “longevity” supplement, this would be it.
2. Creatine Monohydrate – The most underrated longevity compound on the planet
Yes, the same creatine bodybuilders have used for decades. Most people think “muscle” when they hear creatine, but the data on brain health and overall cellular energy is staggering. Creatine helps regenerate ATP (your cells’ energy currency) throughout your body. It’s not just in muscle as many tend to think, but also helping in your brain, heart, and every high-energy tissue. Studies show improved cognition in the elderly, better mood, and even benefits for depression symptoms. It pairs perfectly with Ca-AKG because both increase cellular energy capacity through different pathways. I take 10 g daily in my morning shake. Zero bloating, zero downsides, massive upside. It’s also a fantastic go-to if I am sleep deprived - with a ‘mega dose’ of 20-30g to help ‘wake up’ my brain.
3. Hydrolysed Collagen Peptides – My joint insurance policy and skin’s best friend
I’m a trail runner who’s had his share of tendon issues (patellar tendinopathy used to flare up constantly). Adding 10–15 g of DoNotAge’s grass-fed hydrolysed collagen peptides to my post-workout whey protein completely changed the game. The specific peptides provide the exact amino profile (high glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) that tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, and even bone matrix need to repair and rebuild. Recovery from hard sessions is faster, my knees feel bulletproof, and as a bonus my skin looks noticeably firmer. It’s not sexy, but it works. Again, we’re talking the ‘workhorse’ and ‘foundational’ supplements here for long-term health.
4. Pure Omega-3 – Because most fish oil is rancid garbage
I’ve thrown away more fish-oil bottles than I care to admit after doing peroxide-value tests at home (most supermarket and even so called “premium” brands are already oxidised before you open them - check out Consumer Lab reports if you don’t believe me!). DoNotAge’s Pure Omega-3 is one of the very few I trust: ultra-purified marine triglycerides, third-party tested for heavy metals and oxidation, with high EPA/DHA per gram (more bang for your buck!). The benefits are well known, including: cardiovascular protection, brain health, reduced systemic inflammation and even skin health. However, you only get them when the oil is actually fresh and clean (not oxidised, no heavy metals). I take 2–3 softgels daily and noticed the difference in mood stability and brain clarity within weeks.
5. Pure Apigenin – My secret weapon for deeper sleep and higher NAD+
Did you know that parsley is your longevity ally? Apigenin (found in high quantities in parsley) is the most potent natural CD38 inhibitor we know of. CD38 is the enzyme that gobbles up your precious NAD+ as you age, so blocking it helps maintain higher cellular NAD+ levels (some studies show a doubling). I also find 50–100 mg about an hour before bed noticeably calms my mind without any morning grogginess. This is a perfect fit for my Type-A personality, who used to lie awake thinking about tomorrow’s training or work to do list! Early days on the human research, but the mechanistic data plus my n=1 results make this a permanent fixture in my longevity stack.
The common thread
None of these are “breakthrough” molecules that make headlines. They’re foundational compounds that target basic biology like energy production, inflammation, tissue repair, and NAD+ preservation. But they’re executed with obsessive purity and testing at DoNotAge, which is why they’ve outlasted every trendy newcomer in my cupboard.
If you’re wondering where to start, my personal rule is: get the foundations rock-solid first. For me that’s Ca-AKG + creatine + collagen + clean omega-3 + apigenin. Everything else (NMN, resveratrol, spermidine, etc.) is comes after you’ve laid a solid foundation.
Here’s to building a body that feels strong and energised for decades!
Nick Engerer
Strategic Advisor, DoNotAge
